A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Ogidi, has disclosed that the party plans to engage former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other key political figures as part of efforts to reposition and strengthen Nigeria’s main opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogidi, who serves as the PDP’s South-South Chairman, made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview with journalists, noting that the party has begun wide-ranging consultations with influential national leaders.
“We are reaching out. We have already met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB),” Ogidi said.
“This is about meeting Nigerians who matter, to let them know that the PDP is alive, reorganising, and ready to move forward. And yes, we also have plans to meet Peter Obi.”
He added that the party would also hold discussions with Atiku Abubakar, describing the former vice president as an important stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Even Atiku Abubakar, as a former vice president of this country, we will meet him. The PDP remains the true face of democracy in Nigeria,” Ogidi stated.
Both Obi and Atiku were former members of the PDP and served as the party’s vice-presidential and presidential candidates respectively in the 2019 elections.
Atiku also emerged as the PDP’s presidential flagbearer in the 2023 general election. However, both politicians have since aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) paid a courtesy visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who governed Nigeria under the PDP platform.
The delegation, led by the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, met Jonathan at his office in Maitama, Abuja. Speaking after the meeting, Turaki said the former president reaffirmed his commitment to the party.
“He assured us that he remains an active, card-carrying member of the PDP and feels a strong obligation to support the party,” Turaki said. “He believes the PDP has done much for him, and he is willing to give back by supporting the party in every way possible.”
Turaki described Jonathan’s remarks as “reassuring and encouraging,” particularly as the party prepares for upcoming off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the 2027 general elections.
The PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has been grappling with internal crises since its defeat in the 2023 elections by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Currently, the party is facing a leadership tussle at the national level, with rival factions laying claim to its leadership following a controversial convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The crisis deepened after the party expelled prominent figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.
